Metallic railroad-tie.



W. G. SPOUSTA.

\ MBTALLIG RAILROAD TIE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1911.

Patented July 30, 1912.

Suva 1,1201 fipozasfa wi bwmoao WENSLOW G. SPOUSTA, OF SALINA, KANSAS.

METALLIC RAILROAD-TIE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 25, 1911.

Patented July 30, 1912.

Serial No. 645,971.

To aZZ whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, lVENsLow G. SPOUSTA, a citizen of the United States,residing at Salina, in the county of Saline, State of Kansas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Railroad- Ties;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in metallic railroad ties.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a metallic tie whichis so constructed that the tie will practically form an integral part ofthe rails, so that both longitudinal and lateral spreading of the railswill be prevented.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tie for the purposedescribed, which is composed of a minimum number of parts, is thereforesimple in construction, is capable of being readily attached to ordetached from the rails, and is cheap to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claimhereto appended; it being understood that va rious changes in the form,proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope ofthe claim, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a top plan view showing portions of tworails having my improved tie associated therewith, Fig. 2 is a sideelevation thereof, Fig. 3 is a par t-ial side elevation, parts thereofbeing shown in section.

Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figuresof the drawings.

Referring to the drawing, the invention comprises a tie consisting of ametallic base plate 5 which extends transversely under and supports apair of rails 66. Each of these rails comprises the usual tread 7, web 8and base flange 9, the web being centrally formed with a transverseopening 8*.

Seated upon the base plate 5 and disposed between the rails 6 is acentral clamping plate 10, also of solid metal. This plate includesvertical end walls 1111 and undercut ends 1212 for receiving therespective base flanges of the rails. Formed in the ends 11 of thisclamping plate are recesses 13-13, which register with the openings 8 ofthe rails. The clamping plate is of a length to permit of the ends 11thereof to tightly abut against the webs 8 of the rails. In order tosecure this clamping plate upon the base plate there are provided insaid plates registering openings in which bolts 14 are arranged forclamping said plates together.

My invention further comprises end clamping plates 1515. Each of theseclamping plates is seated upon the base plate 5 and has a vertical innerwall 16 adapted to tightly abut against the respective webs S of therails. The end clamping plates 15 are each formed with an undercut end17 adapted to tightly abut against the base flange 9 of the respectiverail. Cent-rally projecting from each end of the clamping plate 10 is astud 18, which projects through the opening 8 of the rail web and intothe recess 13 of the end clamping plate 15. Bolts 19 are employed forsecuring the end plates 15 to the base plate 5, said bolts beingdisposed in suitable openings formed in said plates.

In order to prevent any rattling incident to the clamping plates andrail being in ground engagement, I have provided a cushioning strip 20.This strip is pref erably formed of paper, and is disposed on oppositesides of the web 8 and around the base flange 9 of the rail. It willthus be observed that this strip insulates the rail from the clampingplates 10 and 15, and also from the base plate 15.

From the foregoin it will be observed that by this construction, thecentral and.

end plates 10 and 15 respectively will prevent any possibility oflateral movement of either of the rails, and by means of the studs 18any longitudinal movement of the rails will also be prevented. Should itbe desired to remove any sect-ion of rail, it is only necessary toremove the bolts of either of the end sections 15 and remove saidsection.

WVhat is claimed is The combination with a pair of rails havingperforated webs, of a tie comprising a base plate upon which the railsare disposed, a clamping plate secured uponthe base plate intermediatethe rails and having recesses base plate, the central clamping plate and10 formed in its end registering with the perfothe respective endclamping plate.

rations in the rail Webs, end clamping plates In testimony whereof, IafliX my signaseoured upon the base plate and abutting the tnre, inpresence of two Witnesses. Webs of the rails, sald end plates having\VENSLOWV Q SPOUSTA.

studs disposed Within the perforations of the Web and the recesses ofthe clamping Witnesses:

plates, and a strip of cushioning material LEE SPoUs'rA, disposed aroundthe rails intermediate the O. W. SLUNKEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

